It has long been a pejorative term and a device for transferring shame and judgment on women who challenged traditional roles, or were hard to domesticate and keep in line. It includes some "if this is true for you then welcome to the crazy cat lady club" statements that actually ended up reminding me of a standup routine "You might be a redneck if you [insert stereotype]".

After a promising career in medicine and law, she experiences burnout, starts drinking and gets a cat.

Wills believes there is still work to be done to change perceptions, but she hopes that her photography project will help. I thought it was a really creative story, both with the relationship between the woman and the cats, and the quest they go on to fulfill the Cardinal’s wish. I received a copy of this wonderful book from the author in exchange for an honest review, many thanks.

The younger version of the stereotype is usually associated with being single, kooky and weird; after her relationship with Carol Burnett comes to a head, 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon acquires a cat. She employs the presence of Robert’s felines as a symbol that Margot uses to construct her image of him. But, really, the concept of the crazy cat lady tells us more about societal perceptions of women than anything else.With simplicity and emotion the author weaves the tale of this old woman who takes care of the homeless and wandering cats of Rome, many of which I saw on a holiday to Rome two years ago.